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London, UK – British musician Sam Fender is set to perform an unannounced headline gig at a Greene King pub in London later today, marking the launch of a large-scale music event aimed at combating rising ticket costs and supporting grassroots venues.
The performance is part of a broader initiative by Greene King Pubs, featuring approximately 800 live music acts performing in pubs across the United Kingdom on Friday, November 17th, 2023. The pub chain’s effort directly addresses a growing affordability crisis in the live music sector.
Recent research conducted by Greene King Pubs reveals that 47% of London residents missed out on live music experiences in the past year due to prohibitive ticket prices. This figure rises considerably to 64% among young adults aged 21-24 nationwide. The financial strain is substantial, with 23% of Londoners and 20% of UK residents reporting they had to reduce spending on essential items to afford concert tickets, and some even exceeding their monthly household budgets for live music.
The initiative underscores the enduring importance of live music to British culture. The greene King survey found that a majority of respondents consider free or locally accessible gigs crucial for maintaining a vibrant cultural landscape, with 63% emphasizing the unique and “irreplaceable” energy of live performances.
Sam Fender, who
